Notes from Charley Walters

[Blizzard]

Nothing real special here-

Al projects he'll be out for a few more weeks:

Among spectators at Williams Arena to watch the Gophers men's basketball team play Virginia on Monday evening was 7-foot-4 Ralph Sampson, whose 6-11 son Ralph III is a junior for Minnesota. Ralph II played for Virginia and remains the only three-time NCAA college player of the year.

The senior Sampson said he had no problem rooting for his son over his alma mater.

"Blood's thicker than water, so Minnesota for sure," he said.

Sampson, 50, has a communications degree from Virginia and was a four-time NBA all-star. He said he prefers that his son graduate at Minnesota before trying the NBA.

"But you never know what will happen," he said. "If he works hard, the sky's the limit, just as it is for anyone who works hard."

The senior Sampson said he weighs about 230 pounds; that's 10 fewer than when he played in the NBA.

"I don't eat as much as I used to, and I still work out," he said.

Sampson lives in Atlanta, where he owns an online social media business.

Gophers point guard Al Nolen, out with an injured right foot, said he expects it to take another two weeks before he is ready to return to the lineup.

One NBA scout said no Gophers players are ready for June's draft.

 

[Go Gophs eh?]

um, trevor mbakwe anyone? stupid scout. you cant average 15 ppg and 10 rpg plus 2 bpg and not be ready for the NBA. they took matt boner for christ sakes

 

[Art Vandelay]

and then there's this little nuggest from his column a few days ago. Classic Shooter


The Gophers have three players — sophomore Rodney Williams, and juniors Ralph Sampson III and Trevor Mbakwe — with first-round potential for next June's NBA draft.

But they're not ready yet, coach Tubby Smith said, adding he doesn't worry about any players leaving school early for the pros.

"I don't see anybody that way yet, and I would think I would know," Smith said. "But I don't have a crystal ball. I would think a few of them have that potential, but they've got to do a lot more than they're doing now.

"If they do what they're supposed to do, I hope that we reach our dreams and our goals, then they can reach their dreams and goals," Smith said. "If I'm developing them the right way, and they reach their potential and have that ability, I'd be the first guy to say, 'Hey, now's the time.'

"I hope they're in that position, because if they're that good, that means we've had a pretty good year. If they're not that good, that means we didn't reach our potential."

Mbakwe, who as part of an agreement to have a felony assault case in Miami last year dropped, said he has 12 hours remaining from his required 100 hours of community service. He has been assisting youth basketball programs in Eagan.